Stellenausschreibung

Location

Duisburg

Application area

Research Center Trustworthy Data Science and Security

PhD Position (w/m/d, No. 319-26)
13 TV-L (gross 57.112 € - 81.176 €)

The Research Alliance Ruhr, a collaborative initiative by the three major universities in the Ruhr area, was established through the Ruhr Conference. It encompasses four research centers: “One Health Ruhr,” “Chemical Sciences and Sustainability,” “Trustworthy Data Science and Security,” and “Future Energy Materials and Systems.” Additionally, it includes a “College for Social Sciences and Humanities.”

The Research Alliance Ruhr is appointing up to 50 research professors and offers numerous positions for research assistants. Join us in creating innovations for the future within Europe’s most densely populated yet greenest university landscape, where a diverse range of scientific and industrial partners are readily accessible.

Start of employment

01.12.2026

Duration of employment

3 years

Working time

39 h 50 min (100%), full time position, part time is possible

Your main tasks

Develop and pursue an independent research agenda within the broad scope of Human Understanding of Algorithms and Machines HU[AM] (see also below)
Design and execute rigorous empirical studies, including behavioral experiments, large-scale surveys, and/or experience sampling methods
Independently analyze quantitative data and contribute to open science practices (pre-registration, replication, transparency)
Collaborate with researchers from different disciplines to develop innovative approaches to understanding human-AI dynamics
Contribute to the group's scientific community through publications, conference presentations, and knowledge exchange

Your profile

Excellent Master's degree in psychology, behavioral economics, political science, communication science, HCI, or a related (social science) field
Strong interest in empirical research on human behavior and/or AI
Proficiency with quantitative methods (experimental, survey, or computational)
High proficiency in English, both written and spoken
German language proficiency is desirable but not required

All candidates should bring:

A collaborative and open-science mindset
Motivation to work in interdisciplinary teams
High degree of creativity, commitment, and analytical competence

Research Scope

This is an open-topic position. We are looking for researchers who bring their own ideas that connect with HU[AM]'s broader agenda. Concrete research areas in which we are especially active include:

How AI systems influence human ethical behavior and decision-making
The social consequences of synthetic relationships with conversational agents
AI-mediated communication and its effects on trust
The use of AI in educational settings and its effects on learning outcomes
AI as a tool for and against corruption and governance failures
Human perception and understanding of algorithmic systems

We offer you

You will work in a multidisciplinary team on collaborative research projects envisioned by leading international experts from various domains. The PhD position will be jointly supervised by an interdisciplinary team consisting of Prof. Nils Köbis (University Duisburg-Essen) and another supervisor from one of the universities in the Rhine-Ruhr region.

The position is embedded in a creative, dynamic, and internationally renowned research environment. Your research will play a crucial role in developing our new Research Center and promoting trustworthy technology to the general public. Our extensive international network of researchers and industry partners ensures a seamless transition into your next career step, whether in academia or international research institutions.

We prioritize a balanced, family-friendly work-life balance, offering flexible working hours and part-time remote home-office arrangements.

Application deadline

2026-09-03

Code number

319-26

Application

If you are interested in this position, please send your application (important: you need to mention the Ref-No. 319-26) to: sekretariat.koebis@uni-due.de

Please provide the following documents as a single PDF:

a) Motivation letter (max. 1 page) describing your background and fit with HUAM

b) Research proposal (max. 1 page) structured as follows:

What is the topic you want to do research on, and why does it matter?
What do we already know about this topic?
Which gap in knowledge does your project address?
Which methods do you plan to use?

c) CV including a list of publications (if applicable)

d) Contact details of two referees willing to provide referee letters or available for short phone calls upon request

Information about the job

Further information about the group Human Understanding of Algorithms and Machines led by Nils Köbis can be found at: https://rc-trust.ai/groups/human-understanding-of-machines-and-algorithms

Research Alliance Ruhr

As the densest university landscape in Europe, the Metropole Ruhr offers attractive career opportunities for excellent scientists from all over the world.

In order to bundle their top international research on the major challenges facing humanity, the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, the TU Dortmund University and the University of Duisburg-Essen founded the Research Alliance Ruhr in 2021. Four research centres and a college have been established here.

This is the latest development in the long-standing cooperation as the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr), a community of 14,000 researchers and 110,000 students.

Learn more

In accordance with the State Equal Opportunities Act, women with the same qualifications are given referential considered.

Applications from suitable disabled persons and persons of equal status within the meaning of § 2 para. 3 SGB IX are desired.

By applying for one of the advertised positions, you expressly agree to the requirements in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and to being contacted by mail. Further information on data protection can be found here.